How Mosquitoes tell us about Adaptability and Innovation
Have you ever wondered how mosquitoes survive in the rain? Picture this: a mosquito weighs a mere 1 to 2.5 milligrams, while a raindrop weighs around 20 to 30 milligrams. If we were to scale ourselves down to the size of mosquitoes, those raindrops would be like cars hurtling towards us. It seems impossible for a mosquito to withstand such an impact, right? However, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology shed light on this intriguing phenomenon more than a decade ago.
When a mosquito encounters a raindrop that is grazing its body, it barely affects the tiny insect’s trajectory. It skillfully evades the powerful blow, much like an Aikido or Tai Chi master, redirecting the force in another direction without being affected. The mosquito’s agility and strategic maneuvering allow it to overcome the seemingly insurmountable challenge.
However, if a raindrop directly hits the mosquito with force, the insect briefly drops a few centimeters in the same direction as the raindrop. But once the raindrop passes, the mosquito resumes its flight unaffected, much like in the first scenario. The raindrop’s impact on the insect is minimal, and it continues its journey undeterred.
On the other hand, if a standing mosquito is struck by a raindrop falling at a high velocity, the result is fatal. Just as humans cannot survive being hit by a car traveling at high speed, the mosquito meets its demise.
What can we learn from this mesmerizing phenomenon? A raindrop represents various obstacles we encounter—be it a formidable competitor in the market, disruptive changes within an organization, or any other hard challenge we face. When confronted with such changes, we have two choices: to remain stagnant or to adapt.
If we choose to resist change, we risk being crushed under its weight. However, if we embrace change and adapt accordingly, we might experience a temporary imbalance or stumble along the way. Yet, we will ultimately survive and emerge stronger than ever before.
I vividly recall a radical change in my own career just over two years ago.
During that challenging time, my mother shared a simple yet profound Cantonese proverb with me:
“树挪死，人挪活” (If you move a tree, the tree will probably die; if you move a man, he will probably be more lively).
These wise words resonated with me, and I embarked on a journey filled with different ventures and experiences.
Today, I am immensely grateful for the changes that unfolded in my life. They pushed me beyond my comfort zone, enabled personal growth, and opened doors to new opportunities.
Like the mosquito deftly navigating raindrops, I learned to adapt, innovate, and thrive.
